This trip definitely didn't go as planned. I made reservations at Indian Lake State Park in Lakeview Ohio with the idea of hitting both Campbell Hill and Hoosier Hill on the same day. Those of you with VWs will appreciate this. I have been a loyal customer of VW for the past 12 years, leasing a new car every three years. This is more of a rant than a climbing report.

I was packed up to leave, I put my cell phone in the car and locked the car to use the restroom. When I got back to the car I realized I forgot to put something in the trunk so I unlocked the trunk with the key remote. Just has I was closing the truck I realized I had laid the keys down inside the truck.

My car is a lease, so according to VW I have a free membership to AAA. So after tracking down two very nice Rangers, who first tried to open the car, and then offered me their cellphone to call AAA; I was informed by AAA that my membership expired because I exceed my leased mileage. I'm still making my lease payments, how does AAA know how many miles are on my car and why wasn't I informed of this fact by VW when I signed the lease.

Long story short; AAA told me to get bent, VW felt my pain but said they were unable to help me. I couldn't call a locksmith because the car doesn't have exterior locks. The Rangers finally called a towing service, who kindly charged me $55.00 for two minutes of work. I still had to squirm through the split seat and locate the keys in the trunk; did I mention that I have two herniated discs in my lower back. That fact didn't seem to bother the tow truck driver who was at least 25 years younger than he.

I'm sure the vast majority of you would say that I created this situation, and should have known better than to lay the keys in the trunk after driving VWs for 12 years; and the Buddhist in me would agree with you.

So after four hours of messing around to get the keys out, Campbell Hill was the only objective for this day. I don't look very happy in the picture I posted do I?

This was our 20th Highpoint. We stopped by here on our way from Florida to Chicago, IL for a meeting. We had just hit Hoosier Hill, IN. The gates were closed when we arrive so we enjoyed the short, windy walk to the Highpoint.

Drove up here on a beautiful May day. Unlike Hoosier Hill, this high point actually felt elevated: the wind was blowing harder than below and there was even a bit of a view. This was the last stop of my two-week, 17-state Southeastern highpoint tour, but certainly not the least.

40 degrees and windy in mid May!!! I ran up the hill in an effort to get warm. The most unique part of this high point is it is at a college campus. Came in when it was technically closed but a man gate was left open for access.

Almost thought we weren't going to be able to "summit" since it was a national holiday. But the gate was left open and we had the whole area to ourselves. Beautiful drive and it was a great trip over to Indiana's HP as well.

State HP #42....a pleasant summit area, however in the back of this small college campus. It was easy to find as summer had finally arrived with temps around 90! First of two HP's, as we drove over to Indiana afterwards. Check it off!!

Drove over from Indiana and it was STILL very snowy. Decided not to try to drive the last unplowed bit and walked up from the main building where there were tracks in the snow. HP had a nice area, but it was cold so I booked back to the car and drove to Dayton for a pint at Toxic Brewery (great spot).

Nice day trip from Port Huron, MI where I was visiting family. Swung by the Champaign Cty HP in Ohio and over to Hoosier Hill in Indiana. Robert, one of the security officers at the Voc. school, was very friendly and made the trip even more enjoyable!